Something 4 The Weekend by
Welcome ladies, gentlemen and film
fans everywhere to entertainment manchester's weekly
feature 'Something for the Weekend'. If, as
Forrest Gump once might have said were he a film fan,
cinema really is like a box of chocolates, then think
of us as your mini-menu, steering you away from the
coffee creams and towards the Turkish delights of the
movie world.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, YET ANOTHER animated film about crazy lost animals wings its way onto our cinema screens in the shape of Dreamworks' Over the Hedge.
Based on the syndicated comic strip, the film follows in the footsteps of Finding Nemo, Madagascar and The Wild and tells the tale of RJ (Bruce Willis), a scheming racoon who tricks his fellow creatures into leaving the safe confines of their forest home for the hustle bustle of a suburban street in order to repay a debt of food. No prizes for guessing the chancer learns some hard lessons about family and friendship along the way.
Bruce Willis, Nick Nolte, Captain Kirk, Spider-Man 3's Thomas Hayden Church and, uhm, Avril Lavinge provide the voices, meaning the production is certainly star-studded. But then again, Shark Tale had the same kind of star-power and Dreamworks failed to turn that into anything other than a self-indulgent line of sketches. The story is strong enough and the animation looks impressive, but let's face it, it's all just background noise for the impending release of Pixar's Cars.
With the summer holidays almost here, there are two more kiddie orientated films out this week, starting with Little Manhattan. Written by Wimbledon scribe Jennifer Flackett, it sounds as excruciating as the cutesy title, following tweenagers Gabe and Rosemary as they meet and fall in love at karate class. However, as bizarre as it sounds, the BBC have compared it to vintage Woody Allen and many others are giving it the thumbs up too, so it could well be this year's sleeper hit.
The film that looks like it'll fly to the top of the box office, however, remains Just My Luck, a high concept work of evil, featuring the unholy team-up of the bafflingly popular Lindsay Lohan and McFly. Lohan plays Ashley, an obscenely lucky young woman who swaps fortunes with a down and out young man (Chris Pine) before, predictably, falling in love to the pleasant pop ditties of the aforementioned pop muppets. Bless.
If the very thought of Lindsay Lohan makes you want to hurl yourself out of a window, there's the far more appealing prospect of Dave Chappelle's Block Party. Directed by Michel Gondry, this documentary follows American comedian Chappelle as he and a host of celebrity guests throw a giant comedy/music party in the heart of Brooklyn. Chappelle hasn't really broken the British market yet, but the Americans love him and if you fancy jumping on the bandwagon before your mates, here's your chance.
Finally, if you want something altogether nastier, how about Reeker, a no-name horror film which follows a group of travellers who get lost in the desert and picked off by some big monster. Blood and guts ensue.
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